Hydraulic Oil

[rvguy02]

I happened to check my coach today at the storage garage I keep it at and noticed an oil leak coming from the hydraulic oil cylinder by the engine. It's clearly coming from there, drip by drip from the bottom where the large pipe comes in. Obviously I need to get this fixed, but is it worth trying to tighten it myself before incurring a large bill at the mechanic's? It doesn't take a lot of oil to make it look like a big leak, but I don't want to take any chances.

Thanks for any advice.

[Ann n Gene]

Stuart, it's ok to try to tighten it, just do not get too superman with it. There is an I ring under it and it needs to be tight but not to the point it breaks.

[rvguy02]

Thanks Ann and Gene for the response - sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was just at the coach and it's still leaking and has apparently leaked enough to bring the hydraulic fluid/oil level down to just short of zero! I bought some AW 46 hydraulic fluid and will fill it before driving to a Spartan certified shop about 60 miles from here. When I tried to tighten it, no joy... I'm thinking there's a hairline crack somewhere on the tank just about the pipe attachment...

For a coach this new (less than two years) I would not expect something like this to happen, but "excrement occurs" Fluid is not gushing out, but there is a slow and steady drip occurring.

[DSL417]

It might be worth mentioning...while it won't make you feel any better, but the chassis might have been built as much as six months prior to the build of your coach. That plus the 2-3 months for a coach build, paint, and delivery could make that chassis almost three years old, depending on when you bought you 2012. Your right, stuff happens...main thing is you caught the leak and got it fixed before a failure on the road.

For what it is worth, on the chassis/engine side, I've had a front and a lower engine seal oil leak, tag leaks on both tag wheels, and a rear axle seal leak. I'm out of the Entegra factory for 9 months, but my chassis might be early 2012. Don't like it, but at least it is warrantee work.

[FrankJ1962]

Originally Posted by rvguy02

Thanks Ann and Gene for the response - sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was just at the coach and it's still leaking and has apparently leaked enough to bring the hydraulic fluid/oil level down to just short of zero! I bought some AW 46 hydraulic fluid and will fill it before driving to a Spartan certified shop about 60 miles from here. When I tried to tighten it, no joy... I'm thinking there's a hairline crack somewhere on the tank just about the pipe attachment...

For a coach this new (less than two years) I would not expect something like this to happen, but "excrement occurs" Fluid is not gushing out, but there is a slow and steady drip occurring.

What ever happened to the hydraulic leak? I have a 2014 Aspire and mine is leaking in the same area. I am going to try tightening first. Mine is not leaking as fast so hopefully no crack. This is for the leveling system, correct?

[loisjop]

Originally Posted by FrankJ1962

What ever happened to the hydraulic leak? I have a 2014 Aspire and mine is leaking in the same area. I am going to try tightening first. Mine is not leaking as fast so hopefully no crack. This is for the leveling system, correct?

Frank, no the hydraulic system he's talking about is for the hydraulic fan and power steering and takes AW46 oil. The hydraulic leveling takes dexron auto transmission fluid and is located on the drivers side first door, at least on the 2013 & 14. Noel

[FrankJ1962]

Noel...thanks for the insight! It does take AW46 because the reservoir was down about a quart and now I know it's more important to get that sealed since it is more than just leveling. I am going to try to tighten it next time I go to the rig. Frank J.

[johnnyreno]

It may just need to be removed re pipe doped and reinstalled If its leaking from the tee. Like mine was messy job because the fill tank has to be removed.

[FrankJ1962]

I tried to tighten it myself and you need a big wrench, which I have, but you have to take some brackets off to even get leverage. Since the coach has only 500 miles on it I decided to take it to the Spartan service center. Good thing that I did because they took it apart and found the O-ring was missing! No wonder it was leaking. Spartan is shipping the whole assembly and it should be back together today.

[johnnyreno]

Nice glad you got it stopped

[brobox]

Frank, thanks for that update. I am sure it will help someone else in the future.